June 2026. Leeds to Bradford.
Comfort break at Newlay’s Abbey Inn over, we resumed Day 2 of the Cask Camino with a route from posh Leeds to almost posh Bradford.
Today’s “Identify the bird” is a tough one.
Lots of interesting canal traffic, including the Absolute Madness tour boat on its way to a nostalgia festival somewhere. More refined than a bus.
Not all the boats are in as good condition though.
It’s a pleasant, undramatic, two hour stretch to Apperley Bridge. Pleasant waterside houses,
bird song and the thwack of leather on willow (or vice versa),
as you remember what Yorkshire folk do on Saturdays.
The joggers thin out, replaced by canoes as we reach Rodley,
whose solid looking pubs once reached the GBG in simpler times.
They’re across the canal, though, and I’m not swimming that with a pint of Boltmaker.
Actually, pubs thin out considerably on the next stretch,
as do seats, and Mrs RM is relieved to make it to Apperley’s eponymous bridge and the car park.
Two very gastro pubs in the George and Dragon and Stancliffe Arms, which makes Amity Brewery’s weekend cheese boards and craft beer close by near Idle sound an attractive end to the day.
Except it’s not every weekend, is it ? Just the one we missed.
retiredmartin 